5 Questions • Chet Garner, The Daytripper

1. Was it always your plan to be “The Daytripper”?

I’ve never been the guy who plans too far in advance, but I always jump in and work as hard as I can. I’m actually an attorney as a safety net—but I love what I do and there’s not much call for ‘barbecue law’. This started out as “The Austin Daytripper” and we just built it one brick at a time. Now, it is a four-bedroom house, and maybe, I hope, we’re building a castle. If my campfire ever goes out, I’ll go find another campfire to sit around. 

2. What do you do in your free time? 

(laughs…) There is no off season for the show, so we are scouting, traveling, taping and producing year-round. Plus, the show is just one piece of the brand. We also have an in-demand commercial production company and the retail store. When I do have a day off, I really love to put my family in the car, take off for someplace new and just enjoy it without worrying about documenting the drive or getting good B-roll. I don’t have a favorite place because I always want to go somewhere new, eat something I haven’t had before, and have a new story when I’m done. It’s funny; I created a television show to inspire people to get away from their TVs, go out and see Texas and enjoy it like we do.

3. Is it fun to be a celebrity?  

I don’t feel like one, although people do greet me on the street like we’re old friends because I visit their homes on a weekly basis. I believe God gifted me with this life and I’m just trying to be a good steward of His gifts in the best way I can; always trying to be better. When we get comfortable, that’s when I change it up because no one wants to eat the same soup year after year. 

4. What are some of the challenges of TV production?

Logistics. I start each season with a big map of Texas, stroke my beard, and work out the plan to disperse our content geographically, deliciously, and historically. We don’t want calls from the Panhandle because we focused too much on the Hill Country, for instance. If you don’t like “the road,” this job will lose its luster quickly. The toughest part is being away from my family; it’s good that we film all year, so I’m not gone for a solid 2-3 months, but it is a busy lifestyle and I couldn’t do it without my amazing wife who manages the chaos better than I do. 

5. Will there ever be a…Georgia Daytripper or other places? 

I love Texas and will never leave. People have approached me about doing shows in their own states but we haven’t found the right fit yet. For now, I just want to recognize that we, everyone, sometimes get stuck in our own bubble, and there are world-class and wonderful things here that people spend money to come see from all over the country. I’m here to show off Texas and help folks enjoy what is in our own backyards. 

Watch episodes on of Chet’s Emmy award-winning show on KLRU Thursdays, 8:30pm, Saturdays 10am, Sundays 10:30am and Wednesdays 5pm. the Season 11 Premier Party will be October 3 in Downtown Georgetown. Visit the Daytripper on Facebook for all the details…